The Church of Scotland has officially confirmed that the majority of presbyteries have backed a proposal that will change its historic stance on gay clergy.
The so-called “mixed economy” overture, which would give congregations the freedom to appoint a gay man or woman, will now be referred to the Kirk’s General Assembly in May for final approval.
A total of 45 presbyteries have voting powers on the issue and have until December 31 to officially inform the church’s central office of the result.
Unofficial figures suggest that about 30 groups of ministers and elders have backed the overture but the Kirk’s central offices have yet to tally a final total.
The debate over the issue was triggered by the appointment of the Rev Scott Rennie to Queen’s Cross Church in Aberdeen in 2009.
The vote result has been welcomed by gay rights campaigners within the Kirk but a group called Forward Together, made up of conservative Christians, has warned that backing the overture would lead to more people leaving.
The Rev Dr George Whyte, Kirk acting principal clerk, said: “The majority of presbyteries have approved (the overture) and therefore it will come to the General Assembly as a proposed piece of legislation.
“This overture either stands and goes into law or it is rejected.
“I think those who are comfortable with ministers in same-sex relationships are willing to go with this as a step along a road.
“While the traditionalists think this is narrow enough for them to keep what they see as integrity and be part of the broad church and contribute to it.”
Former moderator the Very Rev David Arnott said ministers took a vow to promise to seek peace and unity in the church to try to keep it together.
“That is always at the back of our minds because of who we are as ministers and elders, it is part of our gene pool if you like,” he added.
“That is part of the difficulty we have, it would have been easier as an organisation just to cut to the chase and say this is what we think and where we stand but we do not do that in the church.”